[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 115 (Friday, June 14, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 40876]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-15057]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 911

[Docket No. FV97-911-1 PR]


Limes Grown in Florida and Imported Limes; Withdrawal of a 
Proposed Rule

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Withdrawal of proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This action withdraws a portion of a proposed rule published 
in the Federal Register on April 29, 1997 (62 FR 23185), which would 
have increased the minimum size requirement prescribed under the lime 
marketing order and the lime import regulations for the month of June. 
The order regulates the handling of limes grown in Florida and is 
administered locally by the Florida Lime Administrative Committee 
(Committee). The spread of citrus canker in South Florida has decreased 
production and regulations have been suspended under the marketing 
order through February 24, 2003. Under section 8e of the Agricultural 
Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, the lime import regulations also have 
been suspended through February 24, 2003. Thus, an increase in the size 
requirements for Florida and imported limes would not be appropriate at 
this time.

DATES: The proposed rule published on April 29, 1997 (62 FR 23185) is 
partially withdrawn as of June 15, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doris Jamieson, Marketing Specialist, 
Southeast Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order Administration 
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 799 Overlook Drive, 
Suite A, Winter Haven, Florida 33884; telephone: (863) 324-3375, Fax: 
(863) 325-8793; or George Kelhart, Technical Advisor, Marketing Order 
Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; 
telephone: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938.
    Small businesses may request information on complying with this 
regulation by contacting Jay Guerber, Marketing Order Administration 
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; telephone: (202) 720-
2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Marketing Agreement No. 126 and Marketing 
Order No. 911, both as amended (7 CFR part 911), regulate the handling 
of limes grown in Florida, hereinafter referred to as the ``order.'' 
The order is effective under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act 
of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), hereinafter referred to as the 
``Act.''
    This action withdraws a portion of a proposed rule published in the 
Federal Register on April 29, 1997, (62 FR 23185), which would have 
increased the minimum size requirement for limes and limes imported 
into the United States (7 CFR 911.344 and 944.209). Specifically, the 
Committee recommended increasing the minimum size requirement from 1\7/
8\ inches to 2 inches in diameter for the month of June. Under section 
8e of the Act, the same change had to be considered for imported limes. 
Since that proposal was issued, citrus canker has spread throughout 
South Florida. This outbreak has significantly reduced lime production 
and all regulations under the lime marketing order and the lime import 
regulation have been suspended through February 24, 2003 (67 FR 6837). 
The suspension is intended to reduce industry costs and help the 
industry recover from the effects of citrus canker. As a consequence, a 
size increase for June is not necessary at this time, and that portion 
of the April 1997 proposal is being withdrawn. The other portions of 
the proposed rule were finalized in a rule published in the Federal 
Register on August 26, 1997 (62 FR 45142).
    Therefore, the portion of the proposed rule regarding a size 
increase for South Florida and imported limes during the month of June 
published in the Federal Register April 29, 1997, (62 FR 23185) is 
hereby withdrawn.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 911

    Limes, Marketing agreements, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.

    Dated: June 10, 2002.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 02-15057 Filed 6-13-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P